Pro-Occupy Site Hints at More ‘Direct Action,’ Union Collaboration Against Bank Foreclosures
- Posted on April 23, 2012 at 5:41pm by
Erica Ritz
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Detroit has seen almost unparalleled economic devastation in recent years, with an unemployment rate around 18%, childhood poverty rates topping 67%, and a population down roughly 25% as residents flee the city for more prosperous areas.
On top of that, roughly 1 in every 242 Detroit properties were foreclosed on in January alone. Foreclosed residences in Detroit sell for, on average, roughly $11,000– compared to the national average of $85,000.
In response, the Occupy movement has teamed up with others sympathetic to its cause, such as the United Auto Worker’s Union Local 600, Moratorium Now, and People Before Banks, to counteract the foreclosure epidemic in Detroit, using familiar leftist tactics. Much like protesters in Greece, the protesters often form a “blockade” around the property and refuse to let bank officials or police officers pass, until their opposition either tires or relents.
And now, the the pro-Occupy site In These Times is hinting that there’s more to come.
(Photo: AP)
First, a little background.
In one of the coalition’s first successful endeavors, which was widely covered in the press in late January, activists surrounded the home of Bertha and William Garrett with rows of people and dozens of cars after the bank allegedly raised the price at which the couple could buy back their home, rendering it out of their financial reach.
A YouTube video recounts the event, and includes a discussion with the Garrett family (See 2:11-2:35 for images of the protest itself):
Waging Non-Violence described the interaction once the dump truck — where the family’s belongings were to be put — arrived on the scene:
Suddenly, a car screeched to a stop in the middle of the street between the house and the [dump truck]. A young man ran down the road and jumped onto the driver’s side of the truck, shouting for him to turn around. An older man with Parkinson’s planted himself in front of the bumper and shook his fist. The coalition of neighbors and activists…all knew that by city ordinance an eviction must occur within 48 hours of the [dump truck] arriving in front of a foreclosed home, that without a dumpster there would be no eviction. Blocked and confused, the driver left.
That afternoon, 65-year-old Bertha Garrett lay down on the floor in front of the office of the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, and refused to leave until the bank agreed to negotiate her eviction. The next day, the Garretts’ lawyer received a call from Mellon Trust’s lawyers asking the family “to call off the dogs.” Less than a month later, Bertha Garrett signed papers to buy back her home for $12,000. [Emphasis added]
The couple’s daughter spoke at the rally, where she said she sleeps better at night because a union leader assured her he would not forget about her parents (1:25):
However, while the blockade strategy has seemingly worked thus far in Detroit- with banks or police often capitulating in some way- it would be wise to note how similar protests in Greece often end.
With hundreds of activists joined together for a common cause, a lone activist may become reckless and after others follow, it often becomes a full-fledged brawl between protesters and police.
Moreover, protesters in Greece have embraced the strategy so strongly that they have even blockaded government buildings, like the Finance Ministry, ahead of austerity talks.
(Photo: Reuters)
However, In These Times is reporting that American activists are heralding the tactics and promising much more — particularly now that members of the UAW Labor 600 actively involved, and Occupy’s “Spring Offensive” is right around the corner.
“Local 600’s activism in fighting foreclosures has the potential for energizing other locals of the UAW and other unions,” he said.
And “with many Americans fed up with bailed-out banks forcing families out of their homes,” the author continued, “unions like the Local 600 could be a part of the Occupy movement’s spring offensive focused on preventing foreclosures.”
The question remains: even if the blockades don’t descend into violence, as is often the case overseas, is it right for Occupiers and unions to prevent banks from doing their business?
And really, with the Occupy movement so deeply involved, what are the odds that it will remain peaceful and under control?
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old construction worker
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:33pmAnd Jim Johnson, (James A. Johnson, Cief executive officer, Fannie Mae, 1991- 1998) you remember him don’t you? He’s the one who spread all that legal bribe money that put us tax payers hook for all the bad loans. Jim Johnson, former board member of Country Wide Mortage was just named to the board of Goldman (Sucks) Sachs. The man should be in jail along with Franklins D. Rainesfor what they did.
Report Post »JB76
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 11:01amSince the UAW is so concerned why don’t they buy the house from the bank and allow this family repay them with out interest??? Problem solved. The UAW has the money!!!!
Report Post »Diane TX
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 6:59amDetroit and Michigan will take these homes away when the real estate taxes aren’t paid.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:21pmHey who do you blame the banks for taking the hit with all the defaults or Oblamer for killing the jobs.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 7:44pmComparatively, these are the Good Times… but the Mobs are Ruling. So, just wait for the Bad Times…
Report Post »IMAWAKENOW
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 10:38pmHere’s an idea, how about all the protesters pass a hat and pay the mortgages for them and stop expecting the rest of us to do it. I have paid my bills thanks to no one else. I knew how much I could afford to pay for what I have. Sorry if they didn’t but not my responsibility to bail them out.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 7:03pmYipee…FREE houses for everyone. Ain’t socialism great!
Hey wait…What about FREE cars too?
Report Post »lbyrd26
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 7:22pmWill the real knuckle dragging thugs please stand up?! Is it just me but does the really dirty looking guy, with the dirty clothes on, who is trying to kick the cop look like he’s covered with scabys?
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 10:30amI want all govt-workers to pay their entire salerey to pay for all the “freestuff” us-taxpayers get. WE are paying our taxes for OUR own “freestuff” and their sallaries/perks too. Let’s say they(govt-workers incl pres,etc…) get no perks or sallaries until they payback the debt they caused. Indenture them(D.) the way they indentured the slaves, and are still doing under the guise of UNIONS.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:54pmOccupy = an international anti-capitalist activist group out of Canada . May 1 is the date of the annual International Communist Workers of the World Day. Occupy is organizing a big day of protest on May 1 . They have posters printed that say ” No work. No school. No commerce.” Gee, what do you suppose this means ? What do you suppose is their goal ? Why do you suppose the White House does not speak out against this promise of civil disorder ? Why do you suppose the Democrat cities are doing nothing to prevent these disruption of citizens lives and public spaces ? Duh…
Report Post »MammalOne
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 7:48pmNone of these people work anyways, it’ll just be like every other day for Occupy.
Report Post »I also thought it was funny it says “No Chores” on their May Day sign. lol. “but mooooooom, I’m rebelling against the systemmmmmm”
KickinBack
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:39pmThere are occupied houses in Detroit??
Report Post »insight
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:37pmBanks, mostly B of A, is taking forever to do modification and then raising peoples mortgage. They are shady as hell and need to be stopped. They are owned by the gov. via bailouts so in turn the gov is slowly acquiring private property, Plank No. 1 of the communist manifesto. As much as I hate unions and Occupy, they finally have a valid point. What I don’t get is the banks, like the gov, can’t exist unless we fund them. Time to pull the plug.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:36pmThe “Progressives.. aka COMMUNISTS” are using our youth to advance their Commie agenda! The aren’t even hiding anymore.. http://www.yclusa.org/
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:19pmThat union should be given a “ cease and desist ” order.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:29pmFunny, whatever happen to not negotiating with terrorists? It has become MOB rule. I guess we can no longer claim to be a nation of laws.
Report Post »db321
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:40pmThe newness of OWS’s has warn off – the youth of today now realize how stupid it was. Maybe there is hope for our youth!
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:41pmHidden: I agree with you. Why aren’t cities enforcing the laws that are on the books? This reminds me of the way the federal government fails to secure our borders and then sues the states who try to accomplish this necessary responsibility. This is outrageous from the White House to our cities.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:19pmArrest them all.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:18pmThe ACORN protests in bankers yard coupled with the so-called Democrat Party’s “ Affordable Housing Act ” which , by playing the Race Card to force banks to give loans to the minority poor, are just an anti-capitalists’ gift that keeps on giving : tanking the housing market, spreading into the banking industry, and now is the means to cause neighborhood riots, civil disorder. and conflicts with the police and the nasty capitalist banks. When is someone going to label this “ movement” for just what it is and to stop the chaos and “ revolution” these Communists are planning ? WHEN ?
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:17pmim going to bed
wake me up when we can start shooting them :)
joke for you lefty loons
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:15pmHay people if you keep squeezing this turnip long enough it may disappear all together! Banks don’t exist to give you free homes.
Report Post »In the real world you make a deal you perform as promised and the home is yours when you complete the contract.
If you do not complete the contract you lose the house and move on and try to find something you can afford or rent!
Its really that simple when you remove the government from interfering with private contracts.
But now we have a mess that is not ever going to be fixed. Get use to it!
wianno94
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:14pm“Chicken Poodle Soup For The Soul.”
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:11pmhttp://cpusa.org/solidarity-with-occupy-wall-street/ COMMIES all…
Report Post »ChuckJ
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:05pmGuess these are the tactics they will use if obama loses.
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:01pmIf your looking of a rousing support for the bank sorry! I don’t care for the socialists who have taken over the unions either! Many ultraconservatives weep for the banks I see enough snakes in the pit for everyone.I weep for my country and the loss of respect for The true GOD of heaven.We you dance with the devil expect nothing better!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 5:55pmHey .. why don’t they buy them and give them back to the people .. instead of going after the banks .. buy up the property cheap…. oh yea .. I forgot .. everything is FREE … my bad.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:39pmyou meant, ‘everything IS SUPPOSED TO be Free….
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 5:50pmYeah, we know – ‘defecate for obama 2012’ – YAWN.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 6:01pm“scabies for obama 2012”.
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on April 23, 2012 at 7:31pm“Rabies for Obama” 2012. There’s always the possibility now that we know his diet.
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